eighth blackbird

In 1996, six young musicians at Oberlin College came together to play chamber music. Rather than calling themselves The Oberlin Sextet, they wanted to come up with a more creative name. Red Wheelbarrow and Tastes Like Chicken were contenders. Fortunately, they kept looking. Violinist Matt Albert suggested eighth blackbird, inspired by a Wallace Stevens’ poem, and it fit. The group has since won a Grammy Award and comissioned a piece from composer Steve Reich that went on to win a Pulitzer Prize this year.

Unlike many chamber groups who sit politely behind their music stands, eighth blackbird memorizes its music and moves around the stage. They've even worked with choreographers like Susan Marshall.

eighth blackbird will bring their vibrant and evocative chamber music to the Hopkins Center this Friday as part of a week-long residency at Dartmouth College. Today we’re joined by pianist Lisa Kaplan and flutist Tim Munro.

(Photo by Luke Ratray)